A Tantalising Christmas

December 18, 2013

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We live near a small rural community with a slightly bigger than one-room schoolhouse,
with less than twenty total students in grades K through 8.
We are fortunate to have an active community-supported cultural-enrichment and arts program,
and teachers interested in it.
The kids put on a play every year just before the holidays,
and this year's production was probably the best ever,
and the most work -- especially for the students.

I don't know any of the details,
but I do know the kids spent long hours memorizing a large amount of stuff,
and the play came off really well.
The play,
A Tantalizing Christmas,
was written by Andrew Weaver.

We got to the school a scoche late.
The play hadn't yet started, but the pre-play entertainment had.
The kids were giving a great African drum concert,
directed by Jen Slayden.
You guys and gals rock!
Unfortunately, there are no useful links on the web at the moment for Jen,
so you'll just have to ask around Missoula if you are looking for her.
That's actually a good sign --
it means she's probably spending her time doing useful things
like helping kids learn fun and interesting things
instead of noodling on a computer or her hand-held baby-sitter.
So parents and school teachers, look her up -- you'll not regret it!

Bop! Da-da Bob! Yah!

The School that Sings and Plays Together has a Whale of a Good Time!

After the drums, the older kids played some cool xylophone music
and the younger kids sang.
It was good enough it made everyone want to run out and buy one!
(And learn to sing...)

Singin' and Swingin' Along
side by side...

Playin' Along ... in Tune!

Who's fault is it?

Where'd he go?

The staff couldn't stand not being in the play ...
I don't remember what the janitors and court jester had to do with the plot,
but it got a lot of laughs.

Struggling teachers

He looks best like this...

You'll have to look at
the script
for the rest.
It was creative and something everyone enjoyed working with.
The kids and teachers did a great job of adapting it to this place and these kids,
with everyone given a chance in a way that their particular talents shone.
Great job, all!

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This next bunch was not the nice angelic group they appear to be...

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Santa's toys were great...

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I was totally blown away at how well Iris had her lines memorized.
I could not even come close to that at her age.
Or when I was twenty years older.
Or now, but by now I'm losing things fast so that's not surprising...
You rock, Iris!

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The witch and her co-horts will be coming to a venue near you soon...

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Santa's chief elf had to practice a few times before he got it right...